S4054 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE June 10, 2013 Understandably, U.S. policies to- reer in Fort Dodge, but was transferred cers in the line of duty should be appre- wards Sri Lanka have focused on ac- to Tuskegee, AL, to train in the hended as quickly as possible. However, I be- countability for what happened during Army’s Black pilot program, where he lieve the responsibility to address this issue, as it relates to state and local law enforce- the last phases of the civil war as well received the rank of commissioned sec- ment officers, lies with the states and local as on steps toward reconciliation ef- ond lieutenant and specialized in oper- communities that these brave law enforce- forts that seek inclusion of former ter- ating the AT–6 Texan and the P–40 War ment officers serve. Furthermore, while I do rorist enemies into the democratic Hawk. He then, in 1944, became an ac- not believe this issue is the responsibility of process. While these aspects are very tive fighter pilot in Italy, conducting the federal government; if Congress does act, important and deserving of support, I over 60 long-range combat missions as we can and must do so in a fiscally respon- believe there is the opportunity to en- part of the 100th Fighter Squadron. His sible manner. My concerns are included in, gage in a wider approach at the same squadron defended B–17 Flying For- but not limited to, those outlined in this let- ter. time that takes into account economic tresses from German assaults. On While this bill is well-intentioned, it will and geostrategic considerations. Maybe March 3, 1945, he was shot down by likely cost the American people several mil- a wider approach would have a positive ground fire in Yugoslavia. He lion dollars over 5 years without cor- influence overall. parachuted from his burning plane and responding offsets. I recognize this bill no I have expressed these points re- successfully avoided German capture longer contains the authorization included cently in correspondence to Secretary with the help of Yugoslavian partisans. in prior versions of this legislation; however, Kerry, urging him to undertake at the establishing a new program which requires Upon his recovery, he returned to the the Department of Justice (DOJ) to carry Department of State a review of our U.S. and was honorably discharged. out additional responsibilities, even if imple- current policies towards Sri Lanka to After being discharged, Mr. Martin mented by existing staff, is not free of future ensure that we not only encourage con- continued to serve in the Army Air costs. In examining last year’s National Blue tinued reconciliation that includes po- Corps Reserves, rising to the rank of Alert Act of 2012 (H.R. 365), the Congres- litical transparency especially in the captain. Following his military career, sional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the upcoming election in the north but he maintained a commitment to public DOJ would incur an additional $5 million also recognize Sri Lanka’s potential to service, serving as an engineer for Cook over 5 years solely in administrative costs to be a strong financial and national secu- operate the Blue Alert system. As this legis- County, IL. He was also a leader in lation made no changes from the 2012 bill, it rity ally in the future. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., an organization is safe to assume those costs will recur. Secretary Kerry has replied agreeing whose members travel the country as It is irresponsible for Congress to jeop- with me that promising economic educators and historians. ardize the future standard of living of our growth is occurring in Sri Lanka after Mr. Martin was awarded a number of children by borrowing from future genera- years of terrorist insurgency, and that accolades for his service, including the tions. The U.S. national debt is now over this country can play a significant geo- Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple $16.7 trillion. That means over $53,000 in debt political role in U.S. strategic security for each man, woman and child in the United Heart, an Air Medal with six Oak Leaf States. A year ago, the national debt was interests in South Asia and the Indian Clusters, and, in 2007, the Congres- $15.7 trillion. Despite pledges to control Ocean. The State Department, how- sional Gold Medal. Moreover, he was spending, Washington adds billions to the ever, points out that Sri Lanka still inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of national debt every single day. In just one needs to achieve ‘‘meaningful rec- Fame and presented the George Wash- year, our national debt has grown by $1 tril- onciliation between the Sinhala major- ington Carver Medal from Simpson lion or 6.4%. ity and Tamil and Muslim minorities.’’ College, which recognizes individuals In addition to these fiscal concerns, there are several problems specific to this legisla- I take the State Department at its who have served as an inspiration to word, and believe the upcoming Sep- tion. First, there is no need to establish a na- others; demonstrated leadership and tional Blue Alert system because many tember 7 Provincial Council elections conviction; advanced the fields of states have already developed their own Blue in the north can be a meaningful act of science, education, the arts, or reli- Alert programs for the same purposes out- reconciliation between the Sinhala ma- gion; and dedicated themselves to ad- lined in this bill, including alerts issued for jority and Tamil Muslim minorities. dressing humanitarian issues. Mr. Mar- the injury or death of federal, as well as And if they are deemed to be conducted tin’s record exemplifies the extraor- state and local law enforcement officers. In in a free and fair manner, I will renew dinary military service African Ameri- 2008, Florida and Texas were the first states to establish these programs. Fourteen addi- my request to Secretary Kerry to re- cans performed and the dedication that access our current policies towards Sri tional states soon followed—Oklahoma, they displayed for their country in Maryland, Georgia, Delaware, California, Lanka. spite of the prejudice they experienced. Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Utah, Colo- f Robert Martin is a remarkable cit- rado, South Carolina, Washington, Ken- TRIBUTE TO ROBERT MARTIN, izen, truly deserving of his many deco- tucky, and Ohio. This year, in July and Octo- ber, respectively, Indiana and Connecticut TUSKEGEE AIRMAN rations and my gratitude. I wish him and his family all the best and thank will begin their Blue Alert systems. Several Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I would him and all the Tuskegee Airmen for state legislatures currently have legislation pending that would establish a Blue Alert like to take a moment to recognize the their steadfast service. remarkable service of Robert Martin, system, including Minnesota, Illinois and who has spent his life overcoming ra- f Alabama. Furthermore, there is no data to support cial barriers and giving back to his CONSULTATION REQUEST the success of any of the existing state Blue country through extraordinary mili- Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, I ask Alert programs. Oklahoma established its tary and public service. unanimous consent that my letter Blue Alert system in 2009, but it is not yet Born and raised in Dubuque, IA, Mr. dated June 10, 2013, to the minority fully functional. The last five states to es- Martin, in his youth and throughout tablish an alert system did so just last year. leader be printed in the RECORD. his life, demonstrated an exceptional As a result, not only have states already es- There being no objection, the mate- tablished their own programs, but from the commitment to academics, athletics, rial was ordered to be printed in the and community service. He partici- limited use of the existing systems, there is RECORD, as follows: no clear evidence of a substantial need for a pated in Boy Scouts despite threats U.S. SENATE, Blue Alert system, or of the consistent, suc- and backlash from fellow scouts’ par- Washington, DC, June 10, 2013. cessful apprehension of suspects as a direct ents. He was also ultimately inducted Hon. MITCH MCCONNELL, result of a Blue Alert. If anything, we should into the Dubuque Senior High School Senate Minority Leader, U.S. Senate, wait for these programs to produce results Athletic Hall of Fame. He graduated Washington, DC. that can be examined and determine whether from Iowa State University earning a DEAR SENATOR MCCONNELL: I am request- this type of system is useful before insti- degree in electrical engineering and ob- ing that I be consulted before the Senate en- tuting a federal one-size-fits-all program. ters into any unanimous consent agreements Second, while the bill’s supporters likely tained a pilot’s license. or time limitations regarding H.R. 180, Na- envision pursuing suspects who have injured Mr. Martin, while still in college, ap- tional Blue Alert Act of 2013. or killed a law enforcement officer in a rou- plied to join the U.S. Army Air Corps I support the goals of this legislation and tine traffic stop or while fleeing a crime and was accepted after he was drafted believe suspects who seriously injure or kill scene, for example, the bill’s definition of into service. He began his military ca- federal, state or local law enforcement offi- ‘‘law enforcement officer’’ is much broader.

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